Montreal has swiftly pivoted its winter operations from snow removal to a critical de-icing campaign following a severe bout of freezing rain. The city is now deploying hundreds of vehicles and workers to spread salt and grit across its vast network of roads and sidewalks, aiming to restore safe travel conditions for residents.
From Snow to Ice: A Treacherous Weather Shift
The operational shift comes after a significant weather event over the weekend. The city initially launched a major snow-clearing operation on Saturday, December 30, 2023, to tackle more than 16 centimetres of fresh snowfall. However, a freezing rainstorm swept through southern Quebec from Sunday night into Monday, transforming the accumulated snow into hazardous mounds of ice.
This rapid freeze created perilous conditions on roads and walkways, leading to a spike in emergency incidents. The treacherous surfaces sent numerous Montrealers to emergency rooms and resulted in an increase in 911 calls across the region.
City Crews Mobilize for Safety
In response, the city's public works teams have adjusted their strategy in real-time. Gonzalo Nunez, a spokesperson for the City of Montreal, confirmed the change in a statement issued Monday evening.
"Given the current weather conditions, our field operations are being adjusted in real time as the situation evolves," Nunez stated. "Teams are currently spreading grit and salt across the entire network to ensure safe travel. They are deployed in the field to secure roads and sidewalks with abrasive and salt."
Nunez emphasized that maintenance work would continue until the precipitation ends and potentially afterward, with snow clearing operations possibly resuming depending on further developments. The paramount priority is ensuring sidewalks and roadways remain safe and passable for all.
Scale of the Operation
The scale of the city's response is substantial. As of Monday, the de-icing effort involved:
- Nearly 1,000 vehicles
- Approximately 1,000 workers
- Covering the city's extensive 11,000-kilometre road network
This marks a strategic reduction from the initial snow-clearing force deployed on Saturday, which consisted of 3,000 workers and 2,500 snow plows. The current focus is on applying materials to combat ice rather than removing large volumes of snow.
The city is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, limit non-essential travel, and show community solidarity by assisting those with reduced mobility. Residents can report dangerous conditions at any time using the 311 Montreal mobile app and can also check snow clearing schedules for their neighbourhoods through the same platform.
